§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the work of the soil survey of England and Wales is duplicated; and by which organisations.
§ Mrs. FennerI have been asked to reply.
The Soil Survey of England and Wales is responsible for national soils inventory work, and has recently completed mapping the soils of the country at a scale of 1:250,000. About one-quarter of the country has been surveyed at larger scales, up to 1:25,000.
More detailed information on the soils within specific areas is needed by a number of other organisations for a variety of purposes. Surveys to provide such information are undertaken by the Soil Survey, the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, institutes of the Natural Environment Research Council, and private organisations.
The Soil Survey also undertakes detailed research on soil, which supplements studies made by other research organisations.